AUGUST 20, 1998

Leslie Hitchcock
News Editor

Following a year-long hiatus from the infamous Appalachian State “Block Party,” the inaugural “First Night” non-alcoholic celebration took place on Monday.

Modeled after a similar alcohol-free party at UNC-Chapel Hill last year, the idea came after an increase in national awareness of college binge drinking, said Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Dr. Gregory Blimling.

Students from freshmen to seniors attended the kick-off to a new school year that was held on Sanford Mall.

“The Block Party has been a success the years that we did it...we didn’t know how (First Night) would work, this being the first year without alcohol, but it has certainly been a great success,” said Manager of Student Programs Randy Kelly.

The Block Party attracted approximately 5,000 to 7,000 students, said Kelly.

He anticipated approximately 2,000 students around the peak time of 11:30.

All of the exhilaration activities were provided by Airwalk, Kelly said.

“It was mostly the kind of games that you can have a lot of fun without endangering yourself or others,” he said.

D.J. Hollywood provided the musical entertainment, which included bubble and smoke machines.

Additionally, students were entered in several drawings in which tickets to Dave Matthews Band concerts or different airline destinations were prizes.

First Night garnered mixed student reviews, however.

Students who had not experienced the previous Block Party found First Night exciting, while Block Party veterans had different opinions.

“I’ve been here for two Block Parties, and I thought they were great...I think that we’re responsible enough to handle ourselves when we’re consuming alcohol,” said senior Kelly Gulbranson, an Alpha Phi from Elkin, N.C.

Freshman James Powell from Wilmington, N.C. enjoyed his time at First Night.  “It was pretty fun; there was a lot of stuff to do out here,” he said.

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